Apparatus for receiving a fluid

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for receiving a fluid, such as degraded oil, from an oil filter to be replaced, removably mounted on an engine, during removal of the oil filter, the apparatus including a housing defining a receptacle adapted to receive the fluid; and a securing member mounted on the housing for releasibly attaching the housing to the oil filter in receiving relation to the fluid during removal of the oil filter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to an apparatus for receiving a fluid and, more particularly, to such an apparatus which has particular utility in capturing a fluid for subsequent disposal, processing, or other such usage during the performance of a procedure wherein such fluid is present.

[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0006] A variety of environments exist in which a procedure must be performed without the benefit of adequately controlling all of the conditions involved in performing that procedure. These circumstances arise, for example, in the servicing, maintenance and repair of mechanical devices such as machinery, automotive vehicles, aircraft, boats, and virtually all types of equipment composed of a plurality of systems and subsystems. This is particularly true where such systems and subsystems contain fluids of various types which must, from time to time, be replaced or processed.

[0007] Thus, in the case of, for example, internal combustion engines, lubricating systems have oil filters which must, from time to time, be replaced as well as the lubricating oil from the systems. The positioning of the oil filter is dependent upon the particular design of the engine and may be in virtually any attitude between, for example, an attitude in which the oil filter is removable downwardly along an axis which is substantially vertical, to an oil filter which is removable along an axis varying therefrom to one which must be removed along a substantially horizontal axis.

[0008] In all of these instances, the oil would first be drained from the subsystem before removal of the oil filter. However, even after intentional removal of oil from the subsystem, residual oil remains in the subsystem as well as the oil filter itself. Accordingly, in the typical arrangement for the subsystem, the oil filter must be removed from the engine along an axis varying from substantially downwardly along a vertical axis through a range of possible positions to and including a path of movement along a substantially horizontal axis. Irrespective of the attitude along which the oil filter must be removed, residual degraded oil within the subsystem drains gravitationally from the subsystem of the engine so as typically to create a spill of the residual degraded oil. This may only constitute a nuisance. However, it may also contaminate the area involved creating environmental concerns. At very least, it may create an unsightly condition while spilling upon the person and tools of the person performing the operation.

[0009] Therefore, it has long been known that it would be desirable to have an apparatus for receiving a fluid which was operable to contain fluids released during service, maintenance and other modification or adjustment of mechanical devices; which is particularly well suited for use in the servicing, maintenance and other attention to mechanical devices, particularly where such mechanical devices employ systems and subsystems containing fluids to be replaced, processed, or initially charged in the system or subsystem; which is unusually well suited to use in such processes relative to the removal and installation of filters, such as oil filters, on internal combustion engines wherein residual fluids within the internal combustion engine and filter may interfere with the operation to be performed; which operates to avoid the nuisance and possibly hazardous or damaging consequences of such residual fluids in the maintenance of the mechanical device involved; which is entirely compatible with the existing systems and subsystems involved as well as the procedures normally performed without in any way detracting from the procedures normally involved; and which is otherwise entirely successful in achieving its operational objectives.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for receiving a fluid which operates to control the flow of fluids during a wide variety of work operations.

[0011] Another object is to provide such an apparatus which has application to a wide variety of operative environments wherein it is desirable to control the release and containment as well as discharge of fluids associated with the operation involved.

[0012] Another object is to provide such an apparatus which has particular utility in the manufacture, servicing, maintenance and other handling of mechanical devices without detracting from the primary intentions of the operations involved.

[0013] Another object is to provide such an apparatus which operates selectively to retain residual fluid in a reservoir for subsequent disposal, processing or reuse while permitting the operation to be performed to continue unabated by such discharge.

[0014] Another object is to provide such an apparatus which is unusually well suited to the manufacture, servicing, maintenance or other handling of mechanical devices, such as internal combustion engines, by affording the opportunity for such operations to continue without interference from substances such as fluids involved in such operations.

[0015] Another object is to provide such an apparatus which is unusually well suited in the servicing of internal combustion engines, and the like, wherein an oil filter or other fluid system filter, is to be removed and replaced in conjunction with the replacement of the fluid of the subsystem involved, and, under such conditions, wherein the attitude of the oil filter involved is such that drainage of residual fluid from the subsystem may interfere with the operation and otherwise creates conditions which constitute a nuisance, a hazardous condition, or simply a resulting condition requiring cleanup, abatement of a hazard, or any number of further work operations which exacerbate the consequences of the primary work operation involved.

[0016] Another object is to provide such an apparatus which can be employed to remove the oil filter, or the like, from the internal combustion engine, or the system or subsystem being handled, while containing to fluid released therefrom for subsequent handling.

[0017] Further objects and advantages are to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purpose described which is dependable, economical, durable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

[0018] These and other objects and advantages are achieved, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in an apparatus for receiving a fluid having a housing defining a receptacle adapted to receive said fluid from a source of said fluid; and a member for releasibly attaching the housing to a source of said fluid in receiving relation thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus for receiving a fluid of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus for receiving a fluid of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the apparatus for receiving a fluid of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in a typical operative environment.

[0022]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the apparatus for receiving a fluid of the second embodiment of the present invention shown in a typical operative environment.

[0023]FIG. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 5-5 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The apparatus for receiving a fluid of the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 of the drawings and is generally identified by the numeral 10 in those views.

[0025] The apparatus for receiving a fluid of the second embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 20 in FIGS. 2 and 4.

[0026] For illustrative convenience, the apparatus for receiving a fluid of the first embodiment 10 and second embodiment 20 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in environments in which an oil filter is to be removed from an internal combustion engine. Within the illustrative environment, as shown in FIG. 3 relative to the apparatus 10 of the present invention, and in FIG. 4 relative to the apparatus 20, the apparatuses of the two embodiments hereof are shown in typical operative conditions.

[0027] With respect to FIG. 3 and the apparatus 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention, an internal combustion engine is fragmentarily shown and generally indicated by the numeral 30 therein. The internal combustion engine has an engine housing 31 having an outer surface 32 and a lower surface 33. An oil filter mount 34 is formed in the lower surface 33 of the engine housing 31 and, it will be understood as shown therein, the oil filter mount 34 is adapted to receive an oil filter of a conventional type, screw threadably received therein along an axis which is substantially vertical and substantially right angularly related relative to the lower surface 33 of the engine housing.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, relative to the apparatus for receiving a fluid 20 of the second embodiment of the present invention, an internal combustion engine has been fragmentarily shown and generally indicated by the numeral 40. The internal combustion engine has an engine housing 41 having an outer surface 42 with a substantially downwardly facing surface 43. An oil filter mount 44 is mounted in the downwardly facing surface 43 of the engine housing 41, as shown in FIG. 4. The oil filter mount is disposed to receive an oil filter for installation and removal substantially along a vertical axis, as shown therein.

[0029] For illustrative convenience in FIG. 3 in relation to the apparatus 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is shown with an oil filter generally indicated by the numeral 50, as viewed therein. The oil filter 50 has a body 51 and will be understood to be a conventional oil filter for purposes of the illustrative environment. The oil filter 50 shown in FIG. 3 is of conventional construction having a body 51 bearing a lower end portion 52 and an opposite upper end portion 53. The oil filter 50 has an outer surface 54 which is of a generally cylindrical configuration. The oil filter 50 has a substantially concavo-convex lower surface 55 and an opposite upper surface 56.

[0030] The lower end portion 52 of the oil filter 50 has a gripping surface 60 extending about the outer surface 54 thereof. The upper surface 56 of the oil filter has seals 61 mounted thereon for fluid sealing engagement with the engine housing 31. The seals 21 define a sealing surface 62.

[0031] In the case of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention 20, the lower end portion 52 of the oil filter 50 of the oil filter of the second embodiment 20 of the present invention has different gripping surface than in the case of apparatus 10. The gripping surface of apparatus 20 is not conventional and is novel, as hereinafter described. The gripping surface preferably has a plurality of arcuate slots 63 formed therein, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. In the representative example, there are five (5) such arcuate slots spaced substantially equidistantly about the outer surface 54 of the lower end portion 52 of the body 51 of the oil filter 50. Each of the arcuate slots 63 constitutes a slot or groove which does not extend through the outer wall of the oil filter, but rather is a recess so configured and positioned as to permit the operation hereinafter to become more clearly apparent. For purposes of illustrative convenience, it will be understood that each arcuate slot 63 has an entrance end portion 64, a sloped first segment 65 and an arcuately downwardly curved portion 66 ending in a terminal end 67. Each entrance end portion 64 of each arcuate slot 63 extends through the lower surface 55 so as thereby to form an entrance to its respective arcuate slot.

[0032] As previously noted, the first embodiment 10 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 of the drawings. The apparatus 10 has a housing or container 70 having, generally, a lower end portion 71, and an opposite upper end portion 72. The container has a cylindrical wall 73 having an outer cylindrical surface 74, an upper peripheral edge 75 and an interior cylindrical surface 76. The container 70 has a solid lower end wall 80, having a substantially flat interior surface 81 and a parallel, substantially flat exterior surface 82. In the case of container 70 of the first embodiment, preferably three (3) magnets are mounted on the interior cylindrical surface 76 adjacent to the upper peripheral edge 75 and in equally spaced relation thereto. The magnets are mounted in spaced relation to each other about the interior cylindrical surface 76. The magnets are preferably disposed in equally spaced relation. Each magnet has an interiorly facing, substantially flat surface 84 and a sloped upper surface 85. The spacing of the interior surfaces 84 of the magnets 83 is such that an oil filter 50 can slidably be received within the container 70 in slidable engagement with the interior surfaces of the magnets. The relationship is such that the magnets thereby engage and are magnetically attracted to the outer surface 54 of the oil filter. The container 70 is thereby magnetically mounted on the oil filter while being freely releasable therefrom when desired by overcoming the magnetic attraction thereof. The interior cylindrical surface 76 of the container 70 extends to an upper interior edge 91, as shown in FIG. 5. The interior cylindrical surface defines a chamber 92 extending to a mouth 93 at the upper end portion 72 of the container, for purposes hereinafter to be described. The container 70 is shown in a work position 101 in FIG. 3.

[0033] The second embodiment of the apparatus 20 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The apparatus 20 has a housing or container 170 having, generally, a lower end portion 171, and an opposite end portion 172. The container has a cylindrical wall 173 having an outer cylindrical surface 174, an upper peripheral edge 175 and an interior cylindrical surface 176.

[0034] The container 170 has a lower end wall 180 having an interior surface 181 and an opposite exterior surface 182. Five (5) interlocking members or pins are mounted on the interior cylindrical surface 176 of the container 170. The pins are mounted in positions individually corresponding to the entrance end portions 64 of the arcuate slots 63 of the oil filter 50, as shown in FIG. 2. The pins are dimensioned slidably individually to be received in the entrance end portions 64 of the arcuate slots and, by pushing the container 170 toward the oil filter, to follow their respective arcuate slots to their respective terminal end portions as the container 170 and oil filter are adjusted about their respective longitudinal axes to accommodate the travel of the pins in their respective arcuate slots. Once the pins travel through the curved portions 66 of their respective arcuate slots and reach the terminal ends 67 of the arcuate slots, the container 170 and oil filter are interlocked. They can be disengaged by reversing this process.

[0035] The interior cylindrical surface 176 of the container 170 extends to an upper interior edge 191. The interior cylindrical surface defines a chamber 192 extending to a mouth 193. The container 170 is shown in a work position 201 in FIG. 2.

Operation

[0036] The operation of the described embodiments of the subject invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. For illustrative convenience, the apparatus 10 and the apparatus 20 of the two embodiments of the present invention are described substantially simultaneously herein.

[0037] In the illustrative environment, the work operation to be performed is the removal of the oil filter 50 from the oil filter mount 34 and 44 of the internal combustion engines 30 and 40 shown respectively in FIGS. 3 and 4. After draining the used or degraded oil from the engine through a drain opening by means not shown, the apparatus 10 and the apparatus 20 are moved to their respective work positions 101 and 201 shown respectively in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0038] Thus, in the case of the apparatus 10, the container 70 is moved to the position illustrated in FIG. 3, but with the oil filter in the attached position in the oil filter mount 34. In this work position 101, the container 70 is slidably fitted about the oil filter, either in engagement with, or near engagement with, the lower surface 33 of the engine housing 31 so as to expose the mouth 93 of the chamber 92 to residual oil received during removal of the oil filter.

[0039] Similarly, in the case of apparatus 20 of the present invention, the container 170 is moved to the work position 201 shown in FIG. 4 in which the chamber 205 is disposed on, and extending beneath, the oil filter 50 in position to receive residual oil released during removal of the oil filter.

[0040] Thereafter, in the case of both of the apparatuses 10 and 20, the oil filter 50 is removed from the oil filter mount 34 in the case of apparatus 10, and 44 in the case of apparatus 20. Residual oil flowing gravitationally from the oil filter itself or from the oil filter mount 34 or 44 is gravitationally received in the chamber 92 of apparatus 10 or the chamber 192 of the apparatus 20 so that no residual oil is released to the environment, or spilled on the operator.

[0041] In the case of apparatus 10, the residual oil is captured within the chamber 92. Subsequently, the operator can discharge the residual oil both from the oil filter and from the chamber 92 through the mouth 93 of the apparatus 10 simply by tipping the container so as to pour the residual oil therefrom into a suitable receptacle for disposal, reuse or the like.

[0042] In the case of apparatus 20, the residual oil is similarly deposited in a suitable container for subsequent disposal, reuse, processing or the like.

[0043] In the case of the apparatus 10, magnetic engagement of the magnets 83 with the outer surface 54 of the oil filter 50 permits the container 70 to be employed, in effect, as a wrench screw-threadably to remove the oil filter 50 from the oil filter mount 34. In the case of apparatus 20, the interlock of the pins 183 of the container 170 in the arcuate slots 63 of the oil filter 50 permits the container 170 similarly to be used, in effect, as a wrench screw-threadably to remove the oil filter 50 from the oil filter mount 44.

[0044] Therefore, the apparatus of the present invention is particularly well suited to contain fluids released during service, maintenance and other modification or adjustment of mechanical devices; is well adapted to the servicing, maintenance and other attention to mechanical devices, particularly where such mechanical devices employ systems and subsystems containing fluids to be replaced, processed, or initially charged in the system or subsystem; is unusually well suited to use in such processes relative to the removal and installation of filters, such as oil filters, on internal combustion engines wherein residual fluids within the internal combustion engine and filter may interfere with the operation to be performed; operates to avoid the nuisance and possibly hazardous or damaging consequences of such residual fluids in the maintenance of the mechanical device involved; is entirely compatible with the existing systems and subsystems involved as well as the procedures normally performed without in any way detracting from the procedures normally involved; and is otherwise entirely successful in achieving its operational objectives.

[0045] Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention which is not to be limited to the illustrative details disclosed. 

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:
 1. An apparatus for receiving a fluid comprising a housing defining as receptacle adapted to receive said fluid from a source of said fluid; and means for releasibly attaching the housing to said source of said fluid in receiving relation thereto.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receptacle defined by the housing is adapted substantially to contain the fluid within said receptacle received from said source.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for releasibly attaching includes a support assembly adapted releasibly to be secured on said source of said fluid in substantially depending relation with the housing borne thereby wit the receptacle thereof disposed in substantially gravitationally receiving relation to said fluid received from the source of said fluid.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said support assembly includes a member mounted on the housing and dimensioned slidably to be received about said source of said fluid and adapted to be moved thereon to a work position so as to support the housing in depending relation thereon.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said support assembly includes at least one magnet mounted on the housing bounding an opening dimensioned to engage said source of said fluid to retain the housing in depending relation on said source.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said support assembly includes pins engageable with said source and adapted to be moved thereon to a work position so as to support the housing in depending relation thereon.
 7. An apparatus for receiving a fluid, such as degraded oil, from an oil filter to be replaced, removably mounted on an engine, during said removal of the oil filter to be replaced and wherein the oil filter to be replaced has a substantially cylindrical outer surface of substantially predetermined dimensions, the apparatus comprising: A. a container having an interior dimensioned to receive said fluid and being substantially fluid tight to retain said fluid so received therewithin during said removal of the oil filter to be replaced from the engine; B. a securing member mounted on said container dimensioned releasibly to mount said container on said oil filter to be replaced in gravitational, fluid receiving relation to said oil filter; and C. means for releasing said fluid from the container for disposal, or other use, subsequent to removal of the oil filter to be replaced from the engine.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which said oil filter to be replaced is mounted on the engine in depending relation and is so mounted as to be removable from the engine along an axis which is substantially vertical and along a path which is substantially downward along said axis; and wherein said container is substantially cylindrical having an interior dimensioned to be received about said oil filter in a work position in which said outer surface of the oil filter to be replaced and said interior of the container define therebetween a chamber for gravitationally receiving said fluid.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said container mounts a plurality of magnets engageable with the oil filter in slideable relation in movement therealong to a work position in which said magents retain the container in said work position.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said container mounts a plurality of pins engageable in predetermined slots in the oil filter which are so configured as to permit the container to be moved along the oil filter to a work position in which said pins received in said slots retain the container in depending relation in said work position.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pins received in said slots of the oil filter permit said container to be grasped to apply motion to the oil filter to removed said oil filter.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said releasing means is an upper edge of the container remote from said end wall extending about the oil filter in said work position to form a mouth therewith about the oil filter communicating with said chamber through which said oil, received in the chamber, can be poured therefrom after said removal of the oil filter. 